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Not -when you reflect that I am
engaged to marry Miss Wentworth."
"Huh!" I barely suppressed the ut
terance of amazement and disap
pointment. Then there was no hope
for me in that direction! It was
- rather a sorry-mission I was under
taking for a distinct rival. However,
I summoned up all my manliness and
started on my journey.
It was late the next day when a
shot halted me. It came from a
thicket My horse fell and before 1
could get out from under him a
brawny Mexican, wearing the insur
rectionist uniform, was at my side,
hiscarbine leveled.
He had the drop on me and it was
sure death to make a move to resist
or escape. He bound my arms with
a belt, tied a lariat about my waist,
and, making me understand that I
, was a prisoner and considered a spy,
and bound for his camp ten miles
ahead, he mounted his horse and I
had some rough tramping to do.
It was well on toward dark when
we came to a little settlement. My
captor, boastfully parading me, rode
up to the general store and cele
brated bis heroism by being1 helped
' to half a dozen strong drinks. ,Sup-
plied with a bottle of the1 stuff, ne re
sumed his journey. We had not gone
two miles when I noted his drooping
pose. Overcome with the strong
liquor, he was asleep in the saddle.
The horse halted to browse and his
rider sjept on. It was my chance. At
a standstill I could work with-some
system at my. bonds. Soon I was
free. To dispose safely of my cap
tor was an easy task. I took his hat,
his jacket.and his weapons. Then it
was that I laughed exultantly, for
I there was only 25 miles between my
" self a&d Pulza.
I passed no habitation, met nobody
duringthe first five miles of my ride.
I haS fancied I knew the route per
fectly, as I had traversed it before,
but at the end of an hour began to
be confused. I lost the trail and did
'not catch it again until I came in
sight of a lonely little cabin. It held
a light I was desperately thirsty,
and, glancing in at the open window,
I noted a water pail on the table and
the only inmate of the desolate plape,
a little, undersized Mexican lad.about
5 years of age. He was seated at the
table eating porridge. As I stepped
through the doorway he sprang nim
bly to his feet and faced me.
I almost laughed outright The
shrewd, impish expression on the
face of the youngster was absolutely
irresistible-as instantly he threw up
both hands.
Then, his keen eyes looking me all
over, he uttered two words:
"Sandoval Muerte!"
I nodded my head. " He was reas
sured. He went back to his porridge
like one who has a duty to perform
and had received a safe-conduct I
drank x at the -pail and left the hut,
turning the queer incident over in my
mind as I rode along. Suddenly, in
Mexican:
"Halt! Who goes?"
It was an inspiration that came to
nie, looking down the barrel of a lev
eled .carbine. At once there flashed
a thought through my mind. The'
parents of the Mexican lad had tu
tored him" for a, critical occasion
rionresistance and the password. I
gave it now.
"Sandoval Muerte."
x "Pass on to the left You are for
the town?"
I grunted an assent. Again I
laughed this time to drive away a
shiver, for I had met a narrow graze.
The hour was late when I reached
Pulza. At once I visited the Went
worth domicile and had Mr. Wentp
wdrth out of bed, explaining matters.
He looked serious and decided hi im
mediate action. It was wise, for a
few hours later the entire district
was under insurrection domination.
"My daughters," he introduced a
little later, when he led Jwo charm
ing young ladies itno room, who had
hastily dressed at the tidings.
My Miss Wentworth came forward
.- - tAaaai